For the second year in a row, Philadelphia’s Lotus kicked off their tour at one of city’s most intimate venues, the Mercury Lounge. Embarking on a 35+ date run, the band remarked on their love for New York City’s music fans, but had no love for the tenuous parking situation in the Big Apple.

[All Photos by Jeremy Gordon]

For many in the sold out house it was their first chance to catch the band with Mike Greenfield on drums – who is filling in while regular drummer Steve Clemens is out on paternity leave – and the results were impressive. Mixing in old classics and new material from their next album, fans and band members alike, danced, joked (Let Chuck Sing!) and sweated until the early hours. Highlights from Saturday night included hot versions of Suitcases, Tip of the Tongue, Wax and an excellent Hammerstrike to finish the evening off.

Next up for Lotus is a two-night stand beginning on October 02 at Aces Lounge in Austin, TX; before the Philadelphia quintet moves on to the west coast with friends Break Science. For those unable to make it to New York City this weekend, Lotus will be returning on November 28th at Terminal 5 with special guests RJD2 and the Junior Boys

READ ON for the setlists and more of Jeremy’s photos…

Lotus
September 18, 2009
Mercury Lounge
New York, NY

Set One: Juggernaut, Lucid Awakening, Molluskunk*, 128, In an Outline, Age of Inexperience

Set Two: Grayrigg, Expired Slang, Simian, Bellwether > Plant Your Root > Jump Off
Encore: Tarasque, Disappear in a Blood-Red Sky

* first time played

Lotus
September 19, 2009
Mercury Lounge
New York, NY

Set One: Suitcases, Plastique, Destroyer, Bubonic Tonic, Behind Midwest Storefronts, Blacklight Sunflare*, Intro to a Cell

Set Two: Tip of the Tongue, Dorwn*, Wax, Did Fatt > Greet the Mind, Sunrain, Spiritualize
Encore: Hammerstrike [setlists via Lotusvibes]